Dante remained where he was and considered everything Marquis had told him.
Her abilities sounded unimpressive at first, but each one had dangerous potential when used correctly.
Creating fear could weaken an enemy’s mind.
Absorbing fear would allow Marquis to grow stronger during a fight.
Her illusions could hide traps or confuse supernatural creatures, while Bewitchment could turn weak-willed people into useful servants.
Those powers could become valuable in a world filled with monsters.
However, Dante had no intention of trusting her too quickly.
Demons were famous for lies, manipulation, and broken promises.
Marquis had submitted because the System had bound her soul and Purification terrified her.
That did not mean she had suddenly become loyal.
Dante slowly clenched his fist.
His eyes sharpened as he stared down at the kneeling demon.
“Behave yourself while you’re living in this house.
If you try anything against me or my family, you’ll regret it.” Marquis nodded several times.
A flattering smile appeared on Lily’s face as she lowered her head.
“I understand, Master.
You have nothing to worry about.
I’ll behave perfectly.” Dante studied her for a few more seconds before dismissing the Purification light.
He turned toward the door and prepared to return to his room.
He had already experienced enough excitement for one night.
“Master?” Marquis spoke carefully from behind him.
Dante stopped after two steps and looked over his shoulder.
Exhaustion had begun settling over him and his patience was running thin.
“What now?” Marquis hesitated as though the request required tremendous courage.
“Could you please call me by my full name?” Dante raised an eyebrow.
“My name is Marquis.
I’m still a demon of noble status.
Being called Marky feels somewhat insulting.” A wicked smile slowly appeared on Dante’s face.
“Of course, Marky.” He opened the door and walked into the hallway without looking back.
Marquis remained on the floor and watched him disappear into his bedroom.
Once his door closed, she released a long and miserable sigh.
“My life has become a nightmare.” She dragged herself toward the bed and sat on the edge.
Her shoulders slumped as she stared at the floor.
Marquis had once possessed status in the demon world.
Other creatures had feared her name and respected her power.
Now she had been captured by a human teenager who refused to pronounce her name correctly.
The humiliation made her want to scream.
However, every thought of rebellion disappeared whenever she remembered the blue-white light in Dante’s hand.
Purification had burned through her demonic energy and struck directly at her soul.
The invisible collar created by the System made resistance even more dangerous.
Marquis could feel its restrictions surrounding her existence, though nothing remained visible around her neck.
She clenched her teeth and climbed into bed.
For now, she could only endure.
Dante returned to his room and dropped onto the mattress without changing his clothes.
The excitement from the ten-draw and his confrontation with Marquis had drained the last of his energy.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep within minutes.
Early the next morning, pale sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains.
Dante remained buried beneath his blankets until Sarah’s voice rang through the door.
“Dante!
Wake up!
You’re going to be late for school!” Her voice struck his ears like someone pounding on a drum.
Dante pulled the blanket higher and kept his eyes closed.
“Mom, let me sleep a little longer.” Sarah did not accept the request.
“Dante, get downstairs before I come in there and—” “I’m awake!” He threw off the blanket and rushed toward the bathroom before she could finish the threat.
A few minutes later Dante stood in front of the mirror and attempted to fix his messy hair.
His reflection looked tired, but the additional point in Charm seemed to have sharpened his appearance.
He tilted his head and gave himself an approving smile.
“Not bad.
I’m still slightly less handsome than the readers, but nobody can be perfect.” Dante picked up his toothbrush and began brushing his teeth.
White foam gathered around his mouth as he considered the rewards from the previous night.
The Ox Talisman had given him tremendous strength.
Purification could injure demons and possibly cleanse curses or possession.
Together, those abilities finally gave him a real chance of protecting himself.
Still, they were not enough to make him feel safe.
Jason Voorhees could survive injuries that would destroy a normal human.
Freddy Krueger attacked people inside their dreams.
Pennywise was an ancient creature that fed on fear and could alter reality around its victims.
Raw strength alone would not solve every problem.
Dante needed more rewards from the System.
Another draw might give him a weapon, defensive ability, or supernatural power capable of handling threats that could not be punched.
He rinsed his mouth as Sarah called again from downstairs.
“Dante!” “I’m coming!” He hurried into his clothes and rushed out of the bedroom.
After taking the stairs two at a time, he entered the living room and found John sitting comfortably on the couch.
His father was reading the morning newspaper as though there was no reason to hurry.
Sarah stood near the dining table with an affectionate smile.
“Breakfast is ready.” “Thanks, Mom.” Dante quickly sat down.
The table held bread, fried eggs, ham, and a glass of milk.
It was almost the same breakfast his mother prepared every morning.
Dante silently promised himself that he would test the Gourmet Tablecloth soon.
The ability to request any meal could save money and add some much-needed variety to his diet.
John lowered the newspaper and looked toward him.
“How have things been at school?” Dante took a large bite of bread before answering.
“About the same.
You already know I’d still be the best student there even if I stopped showing up.” John stared at him with an amused expression.
“The best student?” Dante nodded with false seriousness.
“It’s lonely at the top.” John laughed and folded the newspaper.
“You’re such a smart aleck.
Just make sure you keep going to class.” Sarah shook her head but could not hide her smile.
She placed the glass of milk closer to Dante.
“Drink this before you leave.” Dante picked it up and finished most of it in several gulps.
As he lowered the glass, a thought suddenly struck him.
“Wait.
Mom, where’s Marky?” Sarah looked at him in confusion.
“Who?” Dante froze for half a second before realizing his mistake.
“I meant Lily.
Marky is just a nickname.” Sarah gave him a disapproving look.
“Don’t give your sister strange nicknames.
She left for school early this morning, unlike someone who refuses to get out of bed.” Dante laughed awkwardly and finished the rest of his breakfast.
Marquis had apparently continued pretending to be Lily without causing trouble.
That was good enough for the moment.
He grabbed his backpack and headed toward the door.
“Bye, Mom.
Bye, Dad.” “Have a good day,” Sarah called.
Dante stepped outside and closed the door behind him.
He had barely reached the sidewalk when someone hurried toward him while waving a poster.
“Dante!
Look at this!” The boy was Frank Abagnale Jr., one of Dante’s closest friends at school.
Frank possessed a sharp mind, an easy smile, and enough confidence to talk his way through almost any situation.
He stopped in front of Dante and held up the poster.
Low Shoulder’s name stretched across the top in large black letters.
“They’re performing in Derry this weekend,” Frank said.
“We have to go.” Dante stared at the poster and remembered Jennifer’s invitation.
His weekend plans had just become more complicated.